In the Bible, the number 40 tends to be a number of judgment. We see many biblical examples of how the number 40 is associated with judgment, probation, or trial. I am not saying that all 40’s in scripture pertain to judgment, but most of them do seem to trend toward a theme of testing. We see how God judged the earth with a 40 day and 40 night rain storm that flooded the entire planet. (Genesis 7:12) Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights. (Exodus 24:18) He even interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and nights. (Deuteronomy 9:18-25) The OT Law restricted the number of whip lashes that a person could receive for their crime to 40. (Deuteronomy 25:3) The Israelite spies took 40 days to recon the land of Canaan. (Numbers 13:25) The Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness. (Deuteronomy 8:2-5) Before their deliverance, Israel served the Philistines for 40 years. (Judges 13:1) Goliath of Gath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David showed up and killed him. (1 Samuel 17:16) When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and nights to Mt. Horeb to hide. (1 Kings 19:8) We see how Jonah went to Nineveh and prophesied for 40 days of their pending doom unless they repented. (Jonah 3:4) In the NT, Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. (Matthew 4:2) I think you get the point.
Fast forward to about a month ago when, out of nowhere, a 43 year-old Christian South African man named Joshua Mhlakela was interviewed on a South African Christian podcast platform (Centtwinz TV), telling the twins, and their listeners, that Jesus appeared to him in 2018 and told him that He was returning for His Church in the Rapture, seven years later, on the Feast of Trumpets, 2025. The twins did two interviews with brother Joshua; prior to that, he appeared on a YouTube call-in podcast where he shared his testimony. If you watch the interviews, brother Joshua shares the details and the links.
Since then, which was about a month ago, YouTube has been lit up with testimony after testimony of believers posting stories about how the Lord has revealed to them that He is returning on the Feast of Trumpets in 2025. By the way, the dates for the Feast of Trumpets this year is September 23,24, 2025. Some reputable watchers pursued further information, one even arranged a phone interview with brother Joshua and confirmed and endorsed his spirit and his word. If you are new to the watcher community, all you have to do is type in ‘Rapture 2025’ on YouTube and you will get a myriad of videos. Some of the watchers are a bit sketch, but most are genuine. You will have to trust the Holy Spriit to guide you through.
Whether or not this brother Joshua is legit or not is not for me to say. He seems to be a genuine man, full of faith, with a workable knowledge of God’s Word. As a pastor, I am cautiously optimistic as to his message, but concerned as to the negative impact that it might have on so many believers who are hanging on to a date that is just under 40 days (as of my writing this blog post). The title of this blog speaks for itself, but the greater aspect of this whole scenario is that if the man is correct, then we’re out of here in under 40 days. If he is wrong, their will be a recovery process to contend with.
It would seem that these 40 days will be a season of testing for all of us. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on a potential Rapture date. That being said, one of the best ways that you can be ready to go in the Rapture, is to be ready to stay and continue serving Jesus until He calls us home. Pay your bills, be responsible, live your life to the fullest, be a good witness of the Christ to others, and do things that will reap a kingdom reward; not just an earthly one. I always challenge my readers to get involved in a local church and help to make it grow.
To be totally honest, I was greatly encouraged by brother Joshua’s testimony and the positive effect that it has had on so many believers who are posting uplifting messages pertaining to the nearness of the Lord’s return. It would seem that the Lord has used this brother to be a catalyst to prompt other believers in their walk with Jesus. Believe me when I tell you, I want to go home more than anyone, or as much as the next watcher; however, I also understand that until that glorious day, we have a job to do for the Lord. Our light needs to be shining in this dark and gloomy world. We are the salt and the light and as long as we are on this earth, we can make a difference for the Lord.
Jesus reminds us that ‘he who endures till the end shall be saved.’ (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13) In context, the passage references the tribulation, but it can also reference our own season of testing. Our salvation is secure in Christ, but the trials that we must endure at times require His strength and grace. As we traverse through and toward the Feast of Trumpets, which is now less than 40 days away; I should like to encourage you to remain vigilant and steadfast in your faith. Don’t lose heart if we’re still here after that date, but continue to seek the Lord; hopefully as you are doing right now.
Until He calls us home; whenever that may be, we need to be as productive and forward planning as we can. It’s my hope that we will be in heaven before the Feast of Trumpets, but I know that if this prophetic word from brother Joshua is true, than our time is very limited. While we can’t know the day or hour for sure, but we can anticipate the Lord’s return as we make plans according to God’s will for our lives.
One last thought for this blog regarding this less than 40 day window that we are all in right now. It can be a good thing to be looking forward to a possible Rapture, but there was a reason the Lord kept it a secret. Paul reminds us that he had no need to write to us regarding the day of the Lord because we would know when it was near. (1 Thessalonians 5:1f) I think that we can all agree that it’s very near, even at the door. (Matthew 24:33) I realize that it can be difficult for believes to plan long while looking up, but that is exactly what we are to be doing in these last of the last days. In everything that we do, may we be able to reflect the love of Jesus to all we encounter.
I will be sharing more insights on this topic as we move forward; but I would encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and His Word regarding this season that we are in right now. We are living in a pre-tribulation season, therefore, we are looking for a pre-tribulation Rapture.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, who resides in Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 37-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (30+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 